Americans have a growing problem — namely, their expanding waistlines. The government, Big Pharma and industrialized agribusiness are raking in big bucks by keeping people fat. What is behind their agenda? How do their imperatives put your health at risk? And what can you do about their unhealthy schemes? First, let’s take a look at three humongous reasons the government wants to keep you fat.
1. Factory farming means profits
America’s agricultural system is predicated on maximizing crop yields at all costs. Pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers and a lack of crop rotation may contribute to soil erosion, global warming and species depletion. But there’s no doubt that industrialized, genetically modified and chemically-laced agricultural practices do result in lots of surplus corn.
In fact, America’s farmers grow so much of the stuff that the government has to buy it — in the form of farm subsidies — just to keep corn prices from hitting bottom. The problem, of course, is what to do with this surplus commodity. It turns out that corn can be turned into a variety of products such as food additives, tortilla chips, flavor enhancers, high fructose syrup and preservatives.
None of this stuff is really good for you, of course. In fact, consuming large quantities of high fructose corn syrup — which is added to cereals, juice cocktails, sodas, junk food and processed meals — over a prolonged period is putting you at greater risk for obesity and diabetes.
2. Big Pharma is making a killing from diabetes medication
Rates of obesity and diabetes have skyrocketed in recent years as consumption of high fructose processed foods and empty calorie snacks have surged. Drug makers are profiting heavily (no pun intended) because factory farm products like corn syrup ensure that a record number of consumers will need prescription medication to manage their diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can wreck havoc on the body. It occurs because constantly high blood glucose levels either wear out the pancreas, make the body insulin resistant or both. Elevated blood sugar also promotes inflammation, which can precipitate cardiovascular disease. As a result, diabetics are more prone to vascular disease, amputations and certain cancers.
There are certain things you can do to prevent or help reverse type 2 diabetes. To begin with, eating right (lots of fiber-rich raw fruits and vegetables), losing belly fat and regular exercise can improve your metabolism tremendously, which can cut your risk for obesity and diabetes substantially. In addition, studies have shown that organic coffeeand green tea lowers blood glucose levels and boosts your metabolism, which helps counteract the belly fat accumulation that contributes to diabetes.
Adult-onset diabetes is usually a lifestyle disease, which can often be avoided by better choices. Doctors and pharmaceuticals, however, must love treating the condition. For example, in 2017, the market for prescriptions to manage diabetes is expected to reach more than $55 billion. In addition, the big three drug giants often jack up the price of these medicines multifold every year. It raises a question many people are asking: will there ever be a cure for a disease that is so profitable?
3. Big Pharma butters the bread of politicians that “serve” the people
Ever wonder why the government dishes out bad dietary advice? Could it be that regulators and elected representatives just don’t have your best interests at heart? The USDA’s dietary guidelines are a recipe for making Americans fat, according to health and nutritional experts like Tom Naughton. As he notes, “the rise in obesity began around the same time the so-called experts began telling everyone to cut back on fat and eat more carbohydrates.” It turns out, the saturated fats the government has been telling us to avoid are good for our metabolism and the carbs they’ve been promoting get converted into toxic blood glucose.
